Group 1 placed galloper ‘Hellbent’ on another victory

Darren Weir trained Hellbent has not won a race since the 24th of September 2016, where he came from 2nd last to beat Sheidel and Sunday Escape by more then 2 lengths at Caulfield. Suffering a slight fall from grace however, Hellbent is yet to win a race in listed or group company, and contrary to a galloper of his class, he is currently suffering a dry spell of 9 races.

Seemingly out of sorts since the big win that turned heads all over the country, 5-year-old Hellbent hasn’t been as far away in recent runs as his form suggests, actually finishing just 0.8L off Super Cash in the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes. Coming from far back in the field and showing his trademark burst of speed, he has given punters hope of once again seeing the old Hellbent we know and love, aided by a very impressive first-up record.

The I Am Invincible horse will line up in tomorrow’s Group 2 Rubiton Stakes over 1100m at Caulfield, a race that he finished 4th in last year. Hellbent is placed in 4 from 6 races first up to date, winning 3. Though Caulfield hasn’t been a happy hunting ground as of late, the Weir galloper has won 3 races over the 1100m journey, arguably having his best run yet over this track and distance.

Showing plenty of signs that we haven’t seen the best of him yet, the highly capable runner finished just over 1L behind Everest winner Redzel when running 3rd in the Group 3 Hallmark Stakes at Randwick last year immediately after finishing runner up to Silent Sedition in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley.

Hellbent’s best time of 62.52 over the 1100m trip is the equal best in the race, with his best final 600 of 32.61 up there with a select couple of runners in the race that have broken the 33 second barrier in their career. He has drawn barrier 4 with apprentice Ben Allen to ride and is currently a $5.50 shot on UBET fixed.

See Hellbent’s most recent run here: